Dispensing tip

Abstract

A dispensing tip for extruding a thin flat ribbon of transparent setting material onto a fingerprint. The application tip includes a tubular portion that may be friction fitted to the end of a static mixer and a flared output portion with a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tubular input portion. The difference in cross-sectional areas causes the setting material to be extruded into a thin ribbon with a wide, flat cross-sectional shape.

1 . A dispensing tip for applying a setting material to a surface for an impression comprising: 
 a tubular input portion with a cross-sectional area of sufficient width to cover a fingerprint; and    a flared output portion, coupled to the tubular input portion, having a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tubular input portion.    
   
   
       2 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one orifice in the flared output portion where the setting material passes through the dispensing tip and exits the dispensing tip.  
   
   
       3 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1 , wherein the difference in the cross-sectional area of the input and output causes the setting material to be extruded into a thin transparent ribbon having a wide, flat cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       4 . The dispensing tip of  claim 2  wherein the setting material is extruded onto a fingertip.  
   
   
       5 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1  further comprising a body portion.  
   
   
       6 . The dispensing tip of  claim 5  wherein the body portion provides a smooth transition from the input portion to the output portion.  
   
   
       7 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1  comprising a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, ceramics, stone, glass, and composite material.  
   
   
       8 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular input portion is connected to a setting material supply.  
   
   
       9 . The dispensing tip of  claim 8 , wherein the setting material supply is a static mixer.  
   
   
       10 . The dispensing tip of  claim 8 , wherein the setting material supply is a syringe.  
   
   
       11 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the tubular output portion has a shape selected from the group consisting of triangular, square, oval, elloptical, trapezoidal and rectangular.  
   
   
       12 . The dispensing tip of  claim 11 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the tubular output portion is rectangular.  
   
   
       13 . The dispensing tip of  claim 11 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the tubular output portion is square.  
   
   
       14 . The dispensing tip of  claim 8 , where the input portion also comprises a fastener for coupling the dispensing tip to the setting material supply.  
   
   
       15 . The dispensing tip of  claim 14 , wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a snap-ring, catch luer lock, and threads.  
   
   
       16 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing tip is made of plastic.  
   
   
       17 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing tip is injection molded.  
   
   
       18 . The dispensing tip of  claim 1 , wherein said input portion further comprises grooves or texturing.  
   
   
       19 . A setting material application device comprising: 
 a setting material supply connected to a dispensing tip;    said dispensing tip having a tubular input portion with a cross-sectional area of sufficient width to cover a fingerprint; and    a flared output portion, coupled to the tubular input portion, having a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tubular input portion.    
   
   
       20 . A method of applying a transparent setting material to fingertips; said method comprising the steps of: 
 extruding a thin ribbon of transparent setting material from a dispensing tip attached to a setting material supply;    contacting a substrate containing fingerprints thereon with the transparent setting material; and    preserving or recording the observable print;    wherein said dispensing tip comprises a tubular input portion with a cross-sectional area of sufficient width to cover a fingerprint; and    a flared output portion, coupled to the tubular input portion, having a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tubular input portion.    
   
   
       21 . A kit for dispensing setting material comprising: 
 a setting material supply;    a dispensing tip connected to said setting material supply; wherein said dispensing tip    comprises a tubular input portion with a cross-sectional area of sufficient width to cover a fingerprint; and    a flared output portion, coupled to the tubular input portion, having a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tubular input portion.    
   
   
       22 . A fingerprint formed by using the method of  claim 20.